Bible Study Notes On Titus Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Bible Text

Notes and Thoughts

1 ¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no man, not to be brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4 But after the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
5 He saved us not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration, and by the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I enjoin that thou affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 ¶ But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and stirrings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 If a man is a heretic, after the first and second admonition reject him,
11 knowing that such as he is subverted and sinneth, being condemned by himself.
12 When I send Artemas unto thee or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me in Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14 And let our own also learn to perform good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Amen.

v1-8 Christians in the world. 1 Peter 2:11-25
Paul speaks on how Christians should behave in the world. In the Roman Empire Christians behaviour was so different to the normal that they were often looked on with suspicion by the unsaved world. Paul reminds the believer that they are still subject to the government because they are subject to God. Romans 13:1-7.
v1 "Ready for every good work," Paul is telling the believer to help, join in with anything which affects the community. Though we are heavenly citizens Phil 3:20 Eph 2:18,19; Col 1:13 we are still in this world as witnesses for our Saviour Jesus.
v3-5 Paul reminds us that we were once part of this old world before we found Jesus, due to the kindness of God. Not only due to his kindness but also due to His mercy.
v5-7 How did He do it? By the work of the Holy Spirit, washing us of sin to make us clean, through Jesus Christ. Eph 5:26; John 3:5-6. Because of this act of love, mercy, kindness by God we are now heirs, part of His family, with a future of eternal life. We are now justified by this grace, made right in the eye's of God.
v8 Believers should live a life which not only pleases God but has a good effect upon the world - "good works" can be 'good' to the world as well as 'good' to the church.
v9-11 People with problems.
v9 Paul issues a warning to Titus, to avoid people who like to argue about unimportant points of the doctrine and things which were not important to the faith. Paul said that they are not worth the effort.
v10 Paul also warns to avoid the heretic, a person who thinks they are right and makes, sometimes forces others to make a choice. This behaviour is listed as one of the works of the flesh Gal 5:20. Paul recommends that the person is told of his problems twice then be rejected by the church. Paul tells Titus that this person has already condemned themselves by sinning again and again even though they have been told.
v12-15 Final Thoughts
Paul asks Titus to join him in Nicopolis. We know nothing about Artemas, Tychicus we initially met in Acts 20:4. He was with Paul in prison and carried his letters to Ephesians, Eph 6:21; Colossians, Col 4:7-8. Perhaps either or both were to replace Titus on Crete.
Apollos we initially met in Acts 18:24ff
v14 Paul reminds Titus for the reason for his letter, for believers to learn to only do good works which are to God's glory.
v15 A final greeting and prayer, benediction.

Easy English Translation

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The Letter to Titus